Encino Trumps Verdugo Hills’ Ace, Stays in Playoff Race

With a possible berth in the American Legion District 20 playoffs at stake, Verdugo Hills went with ace Phil Onsaga in Saturday’s showdown against Encino at Pierce College.

Unfortunately for Verdugo Hills, it went too long with Onsaga.

Encino sent 10 batters to the plate against Onsaga in the third and scored four times in recording a 9-7 victory, keeping its playoff hopes alive and all but eliminating Verdugo Hills from the playoff picture.

Verdugo Hills (16-9) led, 3-2, after two innings although Onsaga (5-2) had walked six batters and threw two wild pitches that allowed runs to score.

Encino (18-7) had just one hit in the four-run third and put the ball in play only three times, yet still managed to take a 6-3 lead.

“They helped us out quite a bit,” Encino Coach Scott Muckey said. “They showed a lot of confidence in [Onsaga]. I guess they figured he would get his control back.”

Onsaga finally got out of the third by striking out Joe Varley, but walked Rob Hirsh to lead off the fourth and was relieved by Bryan Chan.

“His problem was mental that inning,” said Verdugo Hills assistant coach Spiro Psaltis said of the third. “He rarely loses it like that and when he does he can usually make the adjustment. But you can’t lose it for that long against a team like Encino.”

Encino’s Brian Felten (4-1) went the distance, allowing nine hits and striking out seven. Felten struggled in the seventh inning, giving up four runs including a three-run home run by Onsaga, but he dominated the middle of the game.

He gave up two hits between the third and sixth innings and allowed only two runners past first base during that span.

The playoff picture remains unfocused for both teams heading into today’s final regular-season games. If Van Nuys East sweeps its doubleheader against Burbank South, Encino must win and get help to make the playoffs. By losing Saturday, Verdugo Hills already needs help.

“We’re going to do a lot of scoreboard-watching and Times-reading,” Psaltis said.